A big THANK YOU goes to our friends at EVGA for hooking us up with a couple of hardware items to give away for our podcast listeners and viewers this week. First, if you watch tonight's LIVE recording of Podcast #311 (10pm ET / 7pm PT at http://pcper.com/live) you'll be able to win an EVGA Torq X10 mouse! (See our review of the mouse here.)

For everyone that can't make the live version of the show, you'll have a week to enter to win an EVGA Hadron Air Mini ITX Case! (See our review of the case here.)

How do you enter? Well, on the live stream contest for the Torq X10, just watch the live stream and you'll know exactly what to do. For the Hadron Air case though, just fill out the form on this news post (form will be enabled AFTER tonight's recording) and you'll be entered. I will announce the winner during next week's episode of the PC Perspective Podcast!

We'll draw a random winner next week, anyone can enter from anywhere in the world - we'll cover the shipping. Good luck, and once again, thanks goes out to EVGA for supplying the prizes!

Introduction, Hardware, and Subjective Feel

This review comes before the end of the pre-order period. The reason why I targeted that deadline is because the pre-order perks are quite significant. First, either version of the mouse is listed for about $50 off of its MSRP (which is half price for the plastic version). EVGA also throws in a mouse pad for registering your purchase. The plastic mouse is $49.99 during its pre-order period ($99.99 MSRP) and its carbon fiber alternative is $79.99 ($129.99 MSRP). EVGA has supplied us with the plastic version for review.

Being left-handed really puts a damper on my choice of gaming mice. If the peripheral is designed to contain thumb buttons, it needs to either be symmetric (because a right hand's thumb buttons would be controlled by my pinky or ring finger) or be an ergonomic, curved mouse which comes in a special version for lefties that is mirrored horizontally (which is an obvious risk, especially when the market of left-handed gamers is further split by those who learned to force themselves to use right-handed mice).

We first saw the EVGA TORQ X10at CES and recently one arrived at Scott's doorstep so we will have a full review in the near future. If you can't wait to see what this mouse is capable of you can check this review at Hardware Canucks even if you cannot buy the mouse until towards the end of this month. Not only can you adjust the weight of this mouse, the hand rests can be raised and lowered to ensure it fits perfectly in your palm. If you are wondering why this model is more expensive, it is because it has a carbon fibre shell as opposed to ordinary plastic.

"The TORQ X10 may be EVGA's first gaming mouse but its design, feature set and excellent build quality competes with some of the best peripherals available today."

The latest product release from EVGA adds to their gaming peripheral arsenal - the TORQ X10 Carbon gaming mouse. This mouse features a mix of high end components with the looks and features to match.

Courtesy of EVGA

Courtesy of EVGA

EVGA designed the TORQ X10 Carbon gaming mouse with an Avago 9800 series laser spec'd at a maximum DPI of 8200 with up to a 1000MHz polling frequency and with Omron switches, touting a 20 million click lifespan, so that you are never caught unawares during those life and death gaming sessions. The mouse is ambidextrous to appeal to any gamer with a carbon fiber coating for the sleek look and comfortable feel.

Courtesy of EVGA

Courtesy of EVGA

Additionally, EVGA includes their custom driver control panel, allowing you to optimize the look, feel, and function of the mouse with both profile setting and macro support. The mouse has a multiple LEDs that are color configurable via the driver control panel as well.

Features and specs

Ambidextrous grip supporting left and right handed gamers.

Moveable mechanism allows for proper support of various hand sizes.

Avago 9800 laser provides up to 8200 DPI with up to 1000Hz polling rate.

Highest quality Omron switches with a lifespan of over 20 million clicks.

Supports up to 9 programmable buttons.

Fully customizable RGB LED.

Built in 512KB memory for profile storage.

Metal base provides solid construction.

Weight control system allowing you to customize the weight to your liking.

6ft silver coated USB cable with braided surface.

Driver control panel

Allows full control of the EVGA TORQ X10.

Designed with usability in mind.

Heads up display shows key settings at a glance.

Flexible macro and profiling system.

Adjustable LED color and brightness.

EVGA has not yet released pricing information or retail availability information for the TORQ X10 Carbon gaming mouse at this time. Please go here for additional information.